Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/7): Wiemer, O’Rae and Nicasia Power Three Sunday Victories

In their short series, Carolina swept Salem 3-0, while Biloxi and Wisconsin captured their home series 2-1 against Montgomery and Peoria, respectively. Nashville split its 6-game home series against St. Paul.

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Game Action:
Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes

Final: Nashville 8, St. Paul 1
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Wallop St. Paul on Sunday To Split Series

With Robert Gasser injured and LHP Aaron Ashby called up to the majors, we got our first official look at 25-year old RHP Chad Patrick (acquired from Oakland for Abraham Toro), who did not disappoint in his brief start: 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks. Patrick’s velocity peaked at 95mph and he induced three groundouts with no batter’s exit velocity reaching 99mph.

SS Vinny Capra (2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs) was the first Sounds’ hitter to get to and Saints starting pitcher (hard hit single to lead off the 3rd inning) and he also got the big 3-run double in the following inning to push Nashville’s lead to 4-0.

Right fielder Joey Wiemer (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs) started off that 4th inning with a walk, then delivered his 2-run blast in the same frame to extend the lead to 6-0. If he’s getting more comfortable with his new swing, this may position him for a return to the Show provided that regular at-bats are available. 

Sounds’ Extras:

• With 8,053 in attendance on a lovely afternoon, this was undoubtedly a fun game to end the series on.
• Every Sound in the lineup reached base, with eight producing hits. The outfield of Chavez Young, Chris Roller and Wiemer was especially productive, combining on a 6-for-11 day with 5 RBIs.
• The bullpen went six innings strong, conceding just one run on two hits, with LHP Nick Bennett giving the team two innings of middle relief.

Next week’s outlook: The Sounds (4-5) hit the road to take on Cardinals’ affiliate Memphis (4-5), with RHP Janson Junk scheduled to start the series opener on Tuesday.

Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Montgomery 3, Biloxi 1 (in 12 innings)
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Woessner Tosses Six Shutout Innings in Debut, Shuckers Fall in 12

RHP Tyler Woessner would have been the talk of the day, if only the Shuckers had come through as victors. But we can still marvel at his 8K, no walk, 2-hit (both singles) shutout of the Biscuits over 6 innings. 

Both of those singles came in the 4th inning, but Woessner and 2B Freddy Zamora did a great job to eliminate the threat with this nifty inning-ending double play. 

Unfortunately, nothing was happening offensively for Biloxi in this one, as the team did not get a runner to second base until the 8th inning despite getting the leadoff hitter on base in four of the first seven frames.

RHP Nick Merkel did a great job in striking out the side in the 11th inning, only to concede a double and a walk in the top of the 12th as Montgomery grabbed the win.

Shuckers’ Extras:

• The 8th inning was especially painful, as the squad loaded the bases with one out in a still scoreless affair, only to see center fielder Eduardo Garcia (.000 OPS in the young season) pop out and DH Eric Brown Jr. K (1-for-5, SB).
• RHPs Sam Gardner, Bo Bowman and James Meeker picked up where Woessner left off in their first appearances of 2024, not allowing any baserunners over four innings of sterling work (with 4 Ks).
• Given the pitching dominance, C Andy Yerzy’s (1-for-3, walk) first game in the organization can likely be considered a success, although he wasn’t able to throw out either attempted basestealer.

Do yourself a BIG favor and check out the Shuckers Twitter-X feed to see many amazing defensive highlights, including two from SS Ethan Murray.

Next week’s outlook: The Shuckers (2-1) head out to take on the Mississippi Braves (0-3) for six games this week, with RHP TJ Shook scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes
Final: Wisconsin 5, Peoria 4
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: An O’Rae Kind of Day in Wisconsin Win

Evidently Friday’s opening day one-hit futility was truly just nerves, as Wisconsin cranked out 14 hits in Sunday’s victory, with six players collecting two hits each. 

As great as that sounds, the Timber Rattlers had to come-from-behind twice in this tight game, as detailed in the game report and seen in the highlight video above.

RHP Edwin Jimenez consistently works deeper into games than many of his peers, earning the win in his first start of the year: 6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 Ks.

We’ve seen Dylan O’Rae start at second base, center field and now designated hitter, reaching base three times in this game: 2-for-4, double, HBP, 2 RBIs.

Timber Rattlers’ Extras:

• RHP Craig Yoho needed just seven pitches to clinch the save, despite entering with the potential game-tying run on second base.
• Center fielder Luis Lara helped Jimenez end the 5th inning by gunning down a Chief trying to stretch a double into a triple.
• 1B Luke Adams might feel like he was left of the party, going 0-for-5 on the day and still searching for his first hit. However, he didn’t strikeout and he put the ball in the air three times (lineout, fly out, pop out) and is too talented (in my opinion) not to start seeing results.

Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (2-1) heads to South Bend (1-2), with RHP Patricio Aquino scheduled to start Game One against the Cubs’ affiliate on Tuesday.

Final: Carolina 10, Salem 7
Box Score and Game Log

Via the Mudcats’ website, game details: Mudcats Offense Explodes in Finale to Sweep Salem

Carolina completed its opening weekend demolition at Salem by grabbing a 10-2 lead by the 5th inning, then hanging on.

Sticking with the Sunday theme, all nine lineup spots reached base with eight position players collecting at least one hit. The Mudcats also ran the Red Sox ragged by stealing six bases without being caught.

21-year old starting RHP Yorman Galindez got the relatively quick hook after just 45 pitches (2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks), with RHP Josh Timmerman actually getting the bulk of the work in relief: 4 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks.

In prior Link Reports, we’ve openly wondered about Carolina’s relatively lack of infield depth, which was further tested in this game with 1B Tayden Hall’s early exit due to food poisoning. Enter outfielder and apparent second baseman Kay-Lan Nicasia (2-for-3, HR, walk, 2 RBIs), who manned the keystone for the final eight innings and homered in his first plate appearance of the game. 

Mudcats’ Extras:

• Putting two 18-year olds atop the lineup worked out very well for the Mudcats, with 3B Juan Baez and center fielder Yophery Rodriguez combining on a 5-for-11 day with a triple, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.
• The main lowlights for Carolina were their three errors (though we’ll forgive Nicasia his, since this was his first infield stint since 2022) and RHP Aidan Maldonado struggling to cover the 8th inning: three earned runs while allowing an inherited runner to score.
• For the second straight game, the hits weren’t falling in for SS Cooper Pratt (0-for-3), but he reached base twice via walks.
• Recently-signed outfielder Yhoswar Garcia was the designated hitter in this game and the speedster is trouble for opposing clubs on the basepaths: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 SBs.

Next week's outlook: Carolina (3-0) returns home to host Rangers’ affiliate Down East (3-0) for a 6-game series starting on Tuesday. Will we see 18-year old RHP Manuel Rodriguez on the mound for the Mudcats

We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Enjoy the Brewer game on Monday, then watch all four minor league teams back in action on Tuesday.

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